A Bacterial Smear May Indicate a Polymicrobial Infection When

Question

A bacterial smear may indicate a polymicrobial infection when
A) mucus, red blood cells, neutrophils, and necrosis are on the smear.
B) lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages are on the smear.
C) more than one morphologic type of bacteria is present on the smear.
D) both gram-negative rods and gram-positive cocci are present on the smear.

Accepted Answer

When more than one morphologic type of bacteria is present on the smear, it indicates a polymicrobial infection. Option A indicates inflammation and damage to the tissue but not necessarily a polymicrobial infection. Option B indicates the presence of immune cells but does not indicate a polymicrobial infection. Option D indicates the presence of both gram-negative rods and gram-positive cocci but it does not necessarily indicate a polymicrobial infection.